Rock n Roll Graffiti is a weekly column spotlighting engaging music personalities. The column stresses not only rock 'n' roll, but blues, jazz, country and folk. Stories feature a nostalgic look at Michigan's stars, local musicians and beloved rock legends, all from a personal, Upper Peninsula perspective. Music memories are recalled with an entertaining presentation of facts, a dash of opinion, and a bit of humor, all meant to bring a smile or nod of acknowledgment from the reader.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Backstage with Eric Burdon

We had traveled to Oshkosh to see rock icon Eric Burdon, lead vocalist on the Animals' number one hit, "House of the Rising Sun," who was performing at the annual WaterFest summer concert series.

Pre-show anticipation was growing as we got situated near the stage, finding the best spot to hear Burdon's unmistakable Newcastle baritone shred through his repertoire. I was about to see a musical hero from my youth perform the songs that made him legendary. Songs like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "It's My Life," and "When I Was Young," were anthems to me.

But, as dark storm clouds gathered over the Fox Valley, our enthusiasm began to wane. After waiting in the rain for some time, it was announced that the show was being cancelled in order to protect the safety of the musicians at the outdoor venue.

My wife Sue and I were devastated. We knew we'd need a miracle to get backstage following the concert, but now that slim possibility seemed to vanish. The disappointing announcement, however, did not dash the hopes of fellow concert-goer and former Gladstone resident Jim Pierron.

Dejected, we accompanied Pierron to the nearby Oshkosh Convention Center. Pierron, who's collected tons of music autographs, has a charming ability to talk his way backstage after concerts. He chatted with various security personnel and before long we were surprised to find ourselves in a small room where Burdon was signing autographs and talking to a handful of fans.

Although a giant in the world of rock and owner of a powerful voice, Burdon is relatively small in stature. He conversed easily, wearing an outfit which included cowboy boots and a well-worn jean jacket. (Considering the location, you might think Burdon would sport Oshkosh B' Gosh denim products, but according to his website, he wears Antik brand clothing.)

He also posed for pictures with his fans, including me, seemingly to compensate for the cancelled show.

Pierron had come armed with old records by the Animals and compact discs for the British singer to autograph. Burdon obliged until he noticed a bootleg recording which he refused to sign. "Where did you get this?" Burdon demanded, adding he had received no royalties for the recording. Burdon's uncharacteristic response amazed Pierron who was unaware one of his discs was of dubious legal status.

Like many artists of the fifties and sixties, Burdon was victimized by various management deals and recording contracts which sought to exploit his talents without fair compensation. While he has the right to be bitter, Burdon instead has concentrated on pleasing his fans.

Burdon has had his ups and downs, but continues to tour and record. He has had dozens of recordings both with the original Animals, later with the "new" Animals, and as a solo artist.

He made his first "comeback" in 1968 and fronted the group War, taking "Spill the Wine" to number three on the Billboard singles chart in 1970. A member of the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, Burdon also took the time to pen an intriguing autobiography.

Today, the 64-year-old Burdon lives a life on the road and often performs 100 or more shows a year.

Currently, he's touring Europe in support of "Soul of a Man," a new compact disc released in January. The 14-track recording, hailed by critics, highlights Burdon's musical roots. It includes songs first performed by his blues idols including Blind Willie Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters.

In a four-decades long career, Burdon has refused to compromise. Just like he did with his original Animals' recordings, Burdon continues to reinterpret vintage American blues classics, recycling them both on stage and in the studio, for an appreciative audience.

Thanks, Eric for putting us fans first. And, it was great to meet you.

U. P. Jukebox

About the music on this blog

Michigan's rock history concentrates on the southeastern part of the state, deservedly so. Although the Detroit area produced some great music in the 1960s, the Upper Peninsula's contribution to the rock 'n' roll revolution of the era shouldn't be discounted. Sure the U. P. is isolated and sparsely peopled, with only three percent of the state's population. But, the fact that no band based north of the Mackinac Bridge registered a Top 40 hit in the 1960s was due to a conspiracy of geography, not a lack of quality material. Groups from across the region issued strong 45 rpm singles in their attempts to gain greater recognition and national fame as the rock 'n' roll spirit pervaded the U. P.

There were the Excels and French Church from Marquette, Riot Squad and Prophets of Doom from Escanaba, Rob Kirk and the Word and Renaissance Fair from Sault Ste. Marie, the Henchmen VI and Vigilantes from tiny Ontonagon, Joey Gee and the Come-ons and the Ravelles from Iron Mountain. Menominee had the Benders, Alston had the Rhythm Rockers, Kingsford boasted the Lexington Project, Ironwood contributed Danny and the Galaxies and Houghton touted the Kinetics.

Today, most of these songs are quite hard to come by, but they unashamedly reflect the dreams and aspirations of the the U. P.'s younger generation all those years ago.

So, give a listen and decide for yourself which tunes could have been hits, if only...

Rock 'n' Roll Graffiti now a book!

The 300-page volume, which includes dozens of photographs, spotlights engaging music personalities, stressing not only rock, but blues, jazz, country and folk.

Seymour said the soft-cover book surveys the music scene with an "entertaining presentation of facts, a dash of opinion, and a bit of humor, all meant to bring a smile or nod of acknowledgement from the reader."

The writer assembled the book from weekly music columns he wrote which originally appeared in the "That's Entertainment" section of the Daily Press, published every Thursday, beginning in the summer of 2005.

The book takes a nostalgic look at Michigan's stars, local musicians and beloved international rock legends, all from a personal, Upper Peninsula perspective, Seymour noted.

Divided into seven parts, "Rock 'n' Roll Graffiti" contains many music-related stories about the local rock scene of the 60s and the U. P.'s contribution to music over the years. Not stopping there, the author also included thoughts on the many concerts he's seen as well as sections about the blues and the Beatles.

"People have been asking me to put these stories into a book for well over a year now. Virtually every week I've gotten so many great comments and emails. I finally took them seriously," he said.

The book was printed by Instantpublisher.com, the short-run publishing division of Funcraft Publishing Co., located in Collierville, Tenn.

"I hope folks have as much fun reading these stories as I've had writing them," he added. Seymour and his wife Sue own the Record Rack in downtown Escanaba.

Seymour commented: "I've enjoyed rock music and writing since I was a teenager in the 60s. I feel lucky to have been around when rock's greatest stars created their most enduring hits."

A graduate of Central Michigan University, Seymour worked for the Daily Press and Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress before going into the retail record business in 1985.

"Rock 'n' roll has always been integral to me and for the last 22 years I've been earning my living from it even though I don't have a musical bone in my body," Seymour noted.

Copies of "Rock 'n' Roll Graffiti" are available for $11.98 at the Record Rack, 1212 Ludington St., Escanaba, Michigan 49829 or through paypal ($11.98 plus $4.00 postage).

About me

I've enjoyed rock music and writing since I was a teenager in the 60s. I feel lucky to have been around when rock's greatest stars created their most enduring hits. At the same time I found I enjoyed writing, as well. I worked on my high school newspaper and magazine, was editor of several college publications and earned a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 1973. I worked for the daily newspaper in my hometown after graduating, becoming managing editor after a few years. By the 1980s, I moved into public relations. In 1985, my wife Sue and I opened a retail music store, The Record Rack, which we still own. Rock 'n' roll has been integral to me and for the last 2O years I've been earning my living from it even though I don't have a musical bone in my body. In recent years, I've also I edited a small local magazine and launched a micro FM radio station. Now, I'm finally combining my love of writing and rock 'n' roll. I can't sing a note, but I know what I like. I'll tell you all about it when you read on. I hope you have as much enjoyment reading these installments as I've had writing them.